Dragon Fever

by Donna Grant

  And then none of the Kings would know that Ulrik was at full strength.

  How long had all his magic been returned? Asher suspected from the very beginning. Ulrik had played them.

  Again.

  “You can shut up. I’m sick of hearing you talk.”

  Ulrik barked in laughter. “Tired of hearing how I’m going to destroy your world?”

  “I’m tired of hearing how everyone should feel sorry for you. Shit happened. Get over it.”

  “Ah, but then you can say that since it didna happen to you.”

  “Would you feel better if I shed a tear?”

  Ulrik released a roar loud enough to shatter what was left of the windows.

  * * * *

  Rachel was shaking so badly her legs wouldn’t work right. She slipped and slid her way to the door. When she didn’t hear Asher talking anymore, she glanced over her shoulder. And came to a jarring halt.

  She’d wanted to know what he looked like in dragon form. Had wondered at the exact color of his scales. Now that she had an up-close-and-personal view, she was awed at the giants before her.

  How naïve for her to think humans had a right to know of the Kings. Seeing the sheer size of them, the Dragon Kings could’ve ruled this world from the very beginning. They chose to hide instead.

  She could only imagine what people would attempt to do to the Kings if the truth was known. They would be hunted until there was no choice but another war. No wonder the Kings went to such length to keep their secret.

  Enthralled, she took a step toward Asher. She gaped at the thick, elongated body, and admired the hunter green scales that shaded nearly to black on his underbelly. Her gaze traveled down his body as she took in the thick, leathery wings folded against his body, to his long tail that curled toward him.

  She took cautious, slow steps to the side to get a better look at him. With his words to “run” still echoing in her head, something warned her to stay. Even though it was dangerous to be so near two fighting dragons, setting off on her own where more Dark Fae––or humans––working for Ulrik could be waiting for her was pure folly.

  Rachel bumped into a wall and put her back to it. She moved quietly along the way wishing she knew what they were saying. Just by seeing the way they tossed their heads, growled, or even smiled, there was a conversation going on.

  Suddenly, Ulrik lifted his head and roared. She covered her ears against the sound. Glass shattered, raining down upon her so she had to curl in a ball, using her arms to cover her head.

  When it finally stopped, she lifted her head just in time to see Ulrik jump from the shadows and slam into Asher. The two crashed to the ground, causing it to shake from the force, before they slid across the expanse of the warehouse crushing everything they came in contact with.

  Not even the iron holding up the building was immune to the sheer might and power of the dragons. Several pillars dented, creaking and groaning, each time one of the dragons crashed into one. To her shock, one, then two pillars broke in half.

  She looked up, wondering if the warehouse would be able to withstand the battle. For now, that was the only thing hiding Asher and Ulrik, but if it came down, everything the Dragon Kings had done to hide would be for naught.

  When she glanced back at the dragons, she realized their battle had brought them closer to her. Asher stretched out one of his wings and turned, slamming it against the side of Ulrik’s head.

  Ulrik let out a grunt as he fell, sliding right toward her.

  She screeched, but the sound was drowned out by Ulrik’s talons scrapping against the concrete as he scrambled to his feet. Then he charged Asher.

  She looked from side to side, wondering where the safest place was. And there wasn’t one. She remained huddled against the wall, raising her arm to block her head and face any time she spotted an object coming her way.

  The more she watched, the more she was amazed the Dragon Kings had been able to keep their secret from getting out. How did anyone miss such a huge beast in the night sky?

  She winced when Ulrik got in a few goods hits on Asher. With each one, her worry grew as she recalled that the only way a Dragon King could be killed was by another King. The thought of losing Asher after just finding him sent a wave of anguish through her so fierce she felt it go right into her soul.

  He was fighting for her, to protect her. And he might die because of her. How was she ever going to live with that? There was no way she could.

  She had no idea how much time passed before Asher and Ulrik broke apart, circling each other. Her legs were cramping from squatting for such a long period. She bit her lip from the pain as she stood.

  Her feet were numb, the feeling rushing back to them like a thousand pinpricks. She gasped when Ulrik’s tail came within inches of hitting her as he passed. One swipe of that tail and she would be history. She looked toward the door. Whatever opening had been there was long gone. Even if she wanted to leave, she couldn’t.

  Asher released a low, rumbling growl and they were once more locked in battle. Ulrik bit down on Asher’s neck sending blood running down his dark green scales.

  He and Ulrik battled to get the upper hand. Asher was just about to win when Ulrik slashed his talons along the bite wound. He lost his grip, and Ulrik pushed him away.

  She didn’t move as Asher fell, sliding right to her. His head was ten feet from her. For a second he didn’t move. Then he opened his eyes. She found herself staring into almond-shaped alabaster eyes.

  She knew the instant it registered that she was there. He blinked and rose, putting himself between her and Ulrik. Because if he had seen her, then it was only a matter of time before Ulrik did.

  Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. Each second felt like an eternity. Every hit, every bite, every wound Ulrik inflicted on Asher, she felt.

  And every time he hurt Ulrik, she silently cheered.

  She began to relax when it appeared that Asher was winning. Ulrik missed more than he landed any hits. While Asher had made sure to keep himself between them, he drew closer to Ulrik to win the battle.

  Though Asher wasn’t near, she wasn’t worried. He would defeat Ulrik and end this awful day on a high note. But all that changed when Ulrik pinned him down in a blink. When Ulrik’s obsidian eyes locked on her, she realized it had all been a trick to get Asher away from her.

  Ulrik drew in a deep breath, his chest expanding. She knew this was the end. Her vision clouded as tears filled her eyes before falling down her cheeks. She looked to Asher.

  Right before Ulrik breathed fire, Asher punched him under the chin, knocking his head back and sending the fire straight up. Asher then got free and rushed to her. She squeezed her eyes closed as she waited for his large dragon body to slam into her. Instead, she felt a gust of wind. She opened her eyes in time to see him surround her body with his wings.

  A half a second before fire rained down on them. Not even Asher’s scales or wings could halt the heat that scorched her, billowing her hair and causing her to break out into an instant sweat.

  It became difficult to breathe.

  And then she stopped trying.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Asher waited for Ulrik to strike again. He couldn’t move for fear Ulrik would breathe dragon fire again and it reach Rachel. Seconds ticked by with no sound. He lifted his head and looked around, his dragon eyes penetrating shadows. But there was no sign of Ulrik.

  He pulled his wings around and tucked them against him as he lowered his gaze to Rachel and spotted her lying limply within his hands. His heart caught, anguish ripping through him when he spotted the heat burns.

  Shifting back to human form, he held her tightly against him with one arm while he felt her pulse with the other. She breathed––barely. Her hair was plastered to her head as beads of sweat ran down her face. Her clothes were soaked as well. She couldn’t remain in those clothes for long with the frigid temperatures.

  “Rae, open your eyes,” he urged as he caressed
his fingers along her cheek. “Look at me, a ghràidh.”

  He’d protected her from the fire. He knew it hadn’t reached her. But he hadn’t been able to stop the heat. Dragon fire was the hottest thing on the realm. Nothing could withstand it but a dragon.

  Was it Fate that sent him to Paris and in Rachel’s path? It must be because his power was healing burns from dragon fire. He pushed his magic down his arm and through his hand into her. A shaking sigh left him when he saw her burns begin to heal.

  The sound of metal moving on his left had him jerking up his head. He was prepared to shift back into a dragon to protect his woman and continue fighting Ulrik. But as the sunlight pierced the darkness, he was surprised to see Blossom Engel daintily step over debris and enter the warehouse.

  She folded her hands before her and didn’t so much as bat an eye. “Sir, I believe we should leave. The sounds of the battle were heard and the authorities called. We also need to get Ms. Marek out of those clothes––and you into some.”

  Without a doubt, she knew what he was. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. At the moment, he was thankful. The rest, well, he’d deal with that later.

  Still, he hesitated. Ulrik could be anywhere. Then his gaze narrowed on Ms. Engel. Con would never have told her their secret, nor would he have allowed her to see anything. That meant someone had told her. And that someone must be Ulrik.

  She took another step toward Asher. “I know what you’re thinking, but I’d never betray you, Con, or anyone at Dreagan.”

  “How can I believe you?”

  “You have to trust me.”

  He looked down at Rachel. She needed to be tended to, and he couldn’t exactly walk around Paris naked carrying her back to the hotel. Gathering Rachel in his arms, he got to his feet and made his way to Ms. Engel until he stood even with her. Then he said, “If I find out you’ve betrayed us in any way, I’ll kill you myself.”

  “I would expect nothing less.” She then turned on her heel and strode out of the ruins.

  Asher followed her outside. His gaze swept the area, and despite him telling her and the men she hired to leave, they had remained. He halted as he counted all four. They were hidden so well that a mortal would never have been able to see them. But he wasn’t a mere human.

  Ms. Engel reached the opened door of the car. She turned to the side and saw he’d stopped. Without asking why, she simply said, “Your secret has never been in safer hands.”

  “I’m supposed to trust you on this?”

  “You are. My group has a number of secrets that will never pass their lips.”

  He couldn’t take that chance, but he’d have to return to find them. Right now he had to get Rachel to safety. As he climbed into the car, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.

  He saw a man in a dark suit with long black hair walking away. Ulrik.

  “Rachel needs you,” Ms. Engel said from inside the car.

  Asher hesitated but remained in the car. No sooner had the door closed than Ms. Engel shoved his hands away from Rachel. He could only watch as the car drove away and Blossom began to hurriedly undress Rachel until she was in nothing but her underwear.

  Ms. Engel threw a blanket over her that he tucked around Rachel. The longer it went on without Rachel stirring, the more worried he became.

  “There were two men.”

  He frowned as he turned his head to Ms. Engel. “I’m sorry?”

  “The one you fought left before I entered the building. The other watched it all.”

  Watched? He frowned as he tried to figure out who it could be. “Did you see his face?”

  “I didn’t get close enough. We remained hidden until the fighting was over.”

  He saw them pass the street they needed to take to get back to the hotel. “Where are we going?”

  “To the airport where a plane awaits to return you to Dreagan. I called ahead to have them on standby.”

  He wanted to trust her, but Ulrik had shown how easily it was to integrate someone into their lives. She was helping now, but when would that change?

  “There will be clothes waiting for you on the plane,” she continued. “I’ll also have both of your suites packed and everything sent to Dreagan immediately.”

  “Why no’ come with me?” he asked. Then he and Con could talk to her together.

  She gave him a kind smile. “I’d like nothing more than to visit, however Dreagan needs a representative here to finish the WWC. And that reminds me, Dreagan won both votes, as usual. I’m loath to say that Glenfiddich continues to gain ground with the judges and the popular vote.”

  “Dreagan has been on top for many years. People get tired of the same ones winning all the time. It’s good for both Glenfiddich and us to have that competition.”

  “There is no competition when you look at the sales.”

  He nodded as he ran a hand over Rachel’s wet hair. “And that’s what matters in the end.”

  There was no more talk until they reached the airfield. Just as Ms. Engel had said, the same plane that brought him to Paris was ready and waiting.

  The car pulled on to the back side of the plane where the door was and stopped. Asher turned to Ms. Engel. “How do you know about me?”

  “Not in the way you think.”

  “Then tell me.”

  She smiled as the driver opened the car door. “Take care of Ms. Marek.”

  He wanted to remain and get the truth from Ms. Engel, but once more he was reminded of what really mattered to him––Rachel. He got out of the car and strode naked to the steps of the plane.

  No sooner was he inside than the door was closed and the plane began taxiing down the runway. He lay Rachel down on a sofa and put on the jeans, boots, and white tee shirt he found folded on a seat.

  By the time he finished, they were already in the air and returning to Dreagan. The entire way back, he went over everything in his mind, attempting to sort it all out, but the more he thought he figured out, the more tangled things became.

  When they reached Inverness, he picked Rachel up and departed the plane to find Lily sitting in the pilot’s seat of her helicopter with the blades turning. Her smile fell when she noticed Rachel in his arms. Asher carefully climbed into the chopper, still holding her. Once he was seated, he put on the earphones.

  “Is she hurt?” Lily asked, her gaze on Rachel.

  “I fought Ulrik to keep him from killing her.”

  Lily didn’t ask more as they became airborne. The flight was quick and smooth, but it was the longest trip of his life because Rachel wouldn’t open her eyes.

  As soon as Dreagan came into view, he wanted to jump from the chopper and shift to fly Rachel home, as he should be able to. He saw the manor and the mountain connected to their home. Behind the mountain was a secret entrance for the Kings to enter when in dragon form.

  So much of their lives had been altered and continued to change. They could blame it on Ulrik, but he shouldn’t shoulder the culpability alone. Each of them was responsible.

  As soon as they landed, Lily shut down the blades. He removed the earphones and gathered Rachel in his arms. The door opened and Anson stood staring at Rachel.

  He climbed from the chopper and strode toward the manner, ignoring the MI5 agents who tried to get a look at him. It was difficult since Dragon Kings he hadn’t known were there surrounded him, making it impossible for anyone to see what he carried.

  “It’s time those fuckers left,” Roman stated angrily.

  Asher agreed. MI5 had been on the estate long enough without finding anything. It was time something be done.

  “It’s being handled,” Vaughn replied.

  Vaughn was acting attorney for Dreagan, and nothing stood in the way of him when he set his sights on something. MI5 would be gone soon, but the world’s attention on Dreagan wouldn’t lessen for a long time.

  “What happened?” Anson asked.

  “Ulrik.” He entered the manor and halted in the solariu
m when he spotted Con.

  Con closed the distance between them and looked down at Rachel. “Is she wounded?”

  “I healed her.”

  At this, Con’s brow furrowed as concern flashed in his black eyes. “See to Rachel.”

  “Then we need to talk.”

  Con gave a nod and stepped aside. Asher made his way up the stairs to his chamber on the third floor. He laid Rachel on his bed, covering her with the blankets. He knelt by the bed and smoothed a lock of dark hair from her face.

  “Doona sleep long,” he whispered and placed a kiss on her lips.

  Then he got to his feet and walked to the door. As he stepped into the wide hallway, he saw Lily and Grace waiting for him.

  “We’ll watch over her,” Lily said.

  Grace nodded. “All the mates will take turns until she wakes.”

  He bowed his head. “Thank you.”

  “Con’s waiting in his office,” Lily said.

  With one last look at the door, Asher walked to the stairs and descended to the second floor. Several Kings were already standing outside Con’s door when he arrived.

  He gave a nod to Anson before entering the office. Con sat behind his large desk in his customary dress shirt and gold dragon-head cuff links. Against the wall to the left, Rhys and Kiril stood together, and a few feet away were Warrick and Thorn. Sitting in one of the chairs before Con’s desk was Kellan.

  “Have a seat,” Con bade Asher, pointing to the chair beside Kellan.

  He was too emotional to sit. Instead, he remained by the door. Con’s office was large, but with so many Kings in attendance, it became crowded quickly.

  “What happened?” Rhys asked into the silence.

  He looked at Kellan, who already knew everything, and most likely had already written it down as Keeper of the Hisory. But Kellan simply returned his look, waiting. Asher then took a deep breath and began the story. No one spoke as he talked about meeting Rachel or how suspicious Ms. Engel was of her. The silence continued as he explained how Ulrik had gotten to Rachel, using her for his own motives.

  The fury was palpable when he told them of his exchange with Ulrik and subsequent battle.